Professionals Protecting Children Child : Child Protection and Nursing and Midwifery Education in Australia

© Australian Centre for Child Protection 2009Nurses and midwives play an essential part in prevention and early intervention strategies circumventing the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect. The capacity to prevent abuse and neglect requires an autonomous, informed and proactive workforce that can recognise the signs of abuse and neglect and is prepared to intervene (Department of Human Services, 2001). All health professionals and other professional groups that come into contact with children and their families have a shared responsibility for protecting and intervening on behalf of children (Department of Human Services, 2001). In view of these recommendations, and in support of the Centre’s mission, all faculties/schools of nursing and midwifery education across Australia were invited to help map child protection-related content in nursing and midwifery education programs. The research design and process undertaken has engaged and hopefully will continue to engage, key stakeholders across a range of professions in discussing and exploring associated issues and potential areas of interest and action. The full account of findings begins with a brief review of literature on child protection and nursing and midwifery education nationally and internationally. It then presents the analysis and results of the curriculum mapping survey data, and outlines issues raised in the subsequent National Nursing and Midwifery Education and Child Protection Forum